M.E.N. Sport understands the United manager is likely to remove the trio from his starting line-up after they started last week's Europa League tie at Feyenoord and Sunday's defeat to Watford.

However, it is unlikely Axel Tuanzebe or any members of the Under-23s will be taken to Sixfields due to the size of Mourinho's squad.

Senior squad members who did not feature at Vicarage Road took part in a small-sided match against United's ebullient Under-18s, who had scored 15 goals in three games before their loss at City on Saturday. DJ Buffonge, 17, is said to have stood out.

Sergio Romero, Timothy Fosu-Mensah, Memphis and Ashley Young are yet to start for United this season, while Michael Carrick last lined up in the Community Shield. Jesse Lingard has played just 45 minutes since the Wembley win over Leicester.

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Sam Johnstone, who is United's third-choice goalkeeper, could make the Northampton squad as he attempts to make his long-awaited first-team bow. Johnstone has played for United U23s this term but was included in Mourinho's 26-man senior squad.

Tuanzebe, 18, featured in Mourinho's first match in charge at Wigan in July and travelled on the brief pre-season tour of China before he was included in United's Europa League squad.

The Rochdale-raised defender has excelled in the U23s this season and was named captain following James Weir's deadline day move to Hull.

Tuanzebe started in United Reserves' Monday night fixture against Derby at Old Trafford alongside Joe Riley and Regan Poole, who made their first-team debuts in February.

The United squad was described as being 'in good spirits', despite the weekend defeat to Watford, which marked the first time Mourinho had presided over three successive defeats in a decade.